Heavy rains overnight caused flooding problems in DeKalb County forcing five families from their homes. No one was injured.
Dustin Johnson, Captain of the Smithville-DeKalb County Rescue Squad said the first call came in at around 3 a.m. from central dispatch reporting that someone on Main Street in Dowelltown was caught in their car by rising waters. “By the time we got there that person had made it out of their car and back to the house. But we had to go back later and evacuate them from their home. From there we got another call on County House Road off McMinnville Highway where a family needed to be evacuated from a trailer. Afterwards, we came back to Dowelltown where we helped a total of four families from their homes on West Main Street,” said Johnson.
The Dowelltown United Methodist Church opened it doors to provide shelter to the evacuees and the American Red Cross arrived to offer them assistance.
The local rescue squad and Emergency Management Agency Coordinator Charlie Parker were assisted by members of the TWRA and the Warren, Smith, and White County Rescue Squads who were called to provide mutual aid support. Although there were no home evacuations in Liberty, at least three vehicles were caught in the flood waters.
“According to the National Weather Service DeKalb County had from 4-6 inches of rain in just a few short hours,” said EMA Coordinator Parker. “Many county roads were impassable and there was street flooding in the Smithville area and on Highway 56 south. Members of the sheriff’s department, EMS, Smithville Police Department, local firefighters, county highway department and TDOT crews either came out or were available to provide assistance if needed. Although the water is now receding there are still some problem areas especially on county roads at Temperance Hall, Hickman, and Dowelltown along Smith Fork Creek,” said Parker.
Parker advises motorists to continue to exercise caution.

Although the outcome is already known today (November 7) is election day in the 17th Senatorial District Special Primary.
Two candidates are seeking to fill the remaining months of the unexpired term of former State Senator Mae Beavers, who is now running for Governor.
Mark Pody is unopposed for the Republican nomination. Mary Alice Carfi is unopposed for the Democratic nomination. The general election will be December 19.
Voting at all fifteen precincts in the county will be today from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m.
Only 147 of the 10,084 active voters in DeKalb County took advantage of early voting for today’s primary
Thursday was the last day for early voting.
“We knew the turnout would be low because this phase of the balloting was a primary and neither candidate was opposed. In addition, people are just not accustomed to voting in odd-numbered years,” said Dennis Stanley, Administrator of Elections. “As for election day, the turnout may be a little better, but far below the normal number of voters.”
But election officials are anticipating a larger turnout for the General Election, which is set for December 19th.
“Because the candidates will be squaring off against each other, we anticipate a better turnout for the General balloting, Stanley said. “And the fact that election day is so close to Christmas, we anticipate a much better turnout for early voting.”

Friends of long time teacher and former DCHS girls basketball Coach Jerry Foster are asked to show their support for him next week during a special fundraiser.
All proceeds from admission and concessions at the DCHS vs Boyd Christian Hall of Fame basketball games Tuesday, November 14 will go to the Jerry Foster Cancer Fund.
Coach Foster was recently diagnosed with Lung Cancer.
“We are trying to help him in his time of need. Please support this fundraiser. We will have a WHITE OUT that night. If you bought a Coach Foster T wear it and if not make sure to wear white. Thanks for your support and can’t wait to see everyone at the game,” said DCHS Lady Tiger Coach Danny Fish.
The girls game tips off that night at 5:30 p.m. followed by the boy’s game.

A would be customer of a local convenience market has been arrested after he pulled a knife in a threatening manner after discovering the store had closed and the clerk wouldn’t let him in.
41 year old Lonnie Lynn Wheeler is charged with aggravated assault, vandalism, resisting arrest, and violation of the ignition interlock device. His bond is $12,500 and his court date is November 16.
Smithville Police report that on Thursday, November 2 an officer was called to Kwik N Ezy after a man threatened the store clerk with a knife. The employee reported that after the store was closed and the doors were locked a man showed up wanting inside. The man became upset when he was not allowed in and pulled a knife from his pocket making a slashing motion across his throat before waving goodbye. The man’s actions caused the store clerk to fear for her life.
According to police, the man (Wheeler), got on a black motorcycle and went across the street to Mapco Express where an officer confronted him in that store. Wheeler was asked if he had any weapons. Wheeler responded by placing his hands in his pockets. The officer ordered Wheeler to remove his hands from his pockets and again asked him if he had any weapons on his person. Wheeler replied that he had a knife. After the officer instructed him to turn around so that he could secure the knife Wheeler became belligerent and got loud. And when asked to step outside and to produce his identification, Wheeler started cussing and became more hostile toward the officer. After threatening to head butt the officer, Wheeler lunged toward him but was restrained on the hood of the patrol car. Wheeler continued to resist by trying to kick the officer several times. After being placed inside the backseat of the patrol car Wheeler kicked out the back passenger side window.
According to police, Wheeler has a DUI conviction from March 6, 2014 and is under a court order to keep an ignition interlock device on his vehicle and to have a valid driver’s license. The motorcycle that Wheeler was operating did not have an interlock device on it which invalidated his license.

The first day of operation for the new DeKalb Animal Coalition Shelter Monday proved to be a busy one.
“Today was our first day open officially and we took in 25 animals,” said Megan Moore, Director of the local shelter who addressed the Smithville Mayor and Aldermen during their regular monthly meeting Monday night.
The shelter initially began taking in strays from people who had already been in contact with the coalition needing to re-home those animals.
“Our hours are Monday through Friday from Noon until 4 and Saturday from 10 a.m. until noon. Our adoption fees are $90 for unaltered dogs with a $50 refundable deposit included and $40 for altered dogs. Cats are $30 for unaltered and $20 for altered cats. We do take cats. We are a limited intake shelter but we will intake as long as we have room. We’re not going to euthanize for space or time spent. We have a wait list and when an animal gets adopted we’ll call the next person on the list. Right now we have multiple litters. We have puppies about four days old. Hopefully they will continue to do well with their moms. We also have kittens that are still nursing. If we have any issues with that we’ll need to find foster homes,” said Moore.
More donations and volunteers are also needed. “We accept donations including food, cat litter, blankets, towels, etc. We also ask for monetary donations for the surrender of a pet or a stray. We have a part time guy (James Wilkerson) and he is doing great but we need volunteers to help. Hopefully we’ll get more volunteers there on a daily basis. If you would like to volunteer you can drop by the shelter and pick up an application. Our address is 186 Transfer Station Road,” said Moore.
Customers will soon be able to see what the shelter has to offer through “Pet Finder” and “Adopt a Pet” and a “Pet of the Week” will be featured on Facebook.
As for a grand opening, Moore said that date will be set once the engraved bricks, purchased by supporters of the shelter are laid in the front of the building around the walk way.
City officials said the old shelter on Smith Road will soon be demolished now that the new shelter is open.

A man has been charged with theft of property over $1,000 after he was caught on camera stealing a 1998 Jeep Cherokee.
48 year old Billy Eugene Cook of Toad Road, Dowelltown is under a $20,000 bond and his court date is November 16.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on Sunday, November 5 a deputy was called to a residence on Nixon Way where a woman reported her vehicle stolen.
Video from a security camera showed Cook entering the property, getting in the vehicle and driving away. Cook was later found at Evans Manor Apartments with the keys to the stolen vehicle in his pocket. He was placed under arrest.

Two people were found with methamphetamine, pills, drug paraphernalia, and prohibited weapons last week after officers showed up at a residence on Page Drive to serve a warrant and to conduct a probation search. Another person there was also taken into custody.
(CLICK LINK BELOW TO VIEW MUG SHOTS OF PERSONS RECENTLY BOOKED AT THE DEKALB COUNTY JAIL- Intakes & Releases From: 10/30/2017 Thru: 11/06/2017)
Seagate Crystal Reports – REPOR_46.pdf (3.39 MB)
39 year old Angela Jean Atnip of Green Hill Road and 42 year old Christopher Allen Scruggs of Page Drive Smithville are each charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell or deliver and possession of a schedule IV controlled substance (Klonopin). Both were also cited for possession of drug paraphernalia. Atnip was further charged with criminal impersonation and Scruggs has an additional citation for possession of prohibited weapons. Bond for Scruggs is $30,000 and $11,500 for Atnip. Scruggs will make a court appearance on November 9. Atnip will be in court on December 7.
The third person, 22 year old Levi Thomas Felton of Bethel Road, Smithville is charged with filing a false report and illegal possession of a weapon. He was further cited for possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond totals $9,000 and his court date is December 7.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on Wednesday, November 1 deputies went to Scrugg’s residence on Page Drive to serve a warrant on Atnip. Upon arrival the officers first spoke with Felton who told them he was alone there. However Scruggs and Atnip were found in the home. Atnip was trying to hide under a bed. She identified herself to officers as Angela Walker and gave an erroneous birth date and social security number. After a computer check revealed the information was false, Atnip was positively identified by a photo ID.
While conducting a probation search, deputies found in the bedroom of Scruggs and Atnip seven grams of a crystal like substance which field tested positive for methamphetamine. The meth was found in two separate bags packed among several smaller baggies. Forty six blue round pills believed to be Klonopin were also found in the bedroom along with a glass straw.
Scruggs had in his possession four knives, each with blades exceeding four inches. Eleven hypodermic needles, a spoon, and four pipes were also found along with $251 dollars which was confiscated as suspected proceeds from illegal drug sales.
During the search officers discovered a pistol in the couch where Felton had been sitting before being ordered by deputies to stand. Also found in Felton’s hoodie was a methamphetamine pipe containing a white powdery substance believed to be methamphetamine.
In a separate case, 41 year old Crystal Dawn Barber of Pumpkin Hollow Road, Liberty is charged with possession of methamphetamine for sale or delivery. She was also cited for possession of drug paraphernalia. Barber’s bond is $5,000 and her court date is December 7.
Sheriff Ray said that on Thursday, November 2 deputies went to Barber’s home to serve a warrant. During a subsequent probation search, Barber was found with a cigarette pack containing 1.1 grams of a crystal like substance believed to be methamphetamine. Four glass pipes and several syringes were also found in the home containing a white substance believed to be methamphetamine.

A man placed under arrest last week on a probation warrant fled on foot but was caught shortly thereafter.
(CLICK LINK BELOW TO VIEW MUG SHOTS OF PERSONS RECENTLY BOOKED AT THE DEKALB COUNTY JAIL- Intakes & Releases From: 10/30/2017 Thru: 11/06/2017)
Seagate Crystal Reports – REPOR_46.pdf (3.39 MB)
29 year old Dustin Matthew Brewer of Gentry Avenue, Smithville is charged with escape. His bond is $5,000 and his court date is November 16.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said that Brewer, while handcuffed and in custody, ran away on foot from law enforcement officers on Gentry Avenue but they caught up with him nearby.
The probation warrant was for a violation of conditions pertaining to community corrections.
27 year old Dustin Allen Pedigo of King Ridge Road, Dowelltown is charged with theft of property under $1,000. His bond is $1,500 and his court date is November 9.
Sheriff Ray said that on April 2 Pedigo took several antique items belonging to a family member including signs, jars, containers, and books valued at approximately $600.
20 year old Braxton Kain Bennett of Smith Road, Smithville is charged with assault. His bond is $1,500 and his court date is November 16.
Sheriff Ray said that on August 31 while incarcerated in the DeKalb County Jail Bennett intentionally assaulted another inmate by hitting him in the back of the head several times with his fist. The charge was filed by a correctional officer.

Eight members of the DCHS Football Team and an assistant coach have received All Region 3 Class 4A Honors.
Tigers receiving special awards are as follows:
Most Outstanding Tight End: Braxton Linder
Most Outstanding Returner: Paxton Butler
Most Outstanding Defensive Back: Bradley Miller
DCHS Assistant Coach Thomas Cagle received Special Teams Coach of the Year in Region 3
Named to the All Region 1st Team from DCHS are:
Jesse Smith, Nick May, and Gage Delape
Named to the All Region 2nd Team from DCHS are:
Tyler Cantrell and David Bradford

The first Democratic candidate for DeKalb County Circuit Court Clerk is making her intentions known.
Nicole Wright told WJLE this week that she intends to seek the Democratic nomination for the office in the May 1, 2018 primary.
“I grew up in the Keltonburg community and have been a life-long resident of DeKalb County. My husband Jeff Wright and I reside in Smithville with our two daughters Jenna, 12, and Lydia, 5. Jeff has been an active member of the Smithville Fire-Rescue Department for over 30 years, and is currently employed by the Murfreesboro Fire- Rescue Department where he serves as the Training Coordinator.”
“I graduated from DeKalb County High School. I began serving the citizens of DeKalb County in 1995 at DeKalb County Ambulance Service as an Emergency Medical Technician. I later worked at the DeKalb Sheriff’s Department as a 911 dispatcher, the City of Smithville Police Department as a police and fire dispatcher, and as a DeKalb E-911 dispatcher. I worked for Circuit Court Clerk Katherine Pack from 2006 to 2011 as a Deputy Clerk. I worked as the office administrator for Jeremy D. Trapp, Attorney from 2011 to August, 2017 where I gained valuable knowledge and experience working in the law. I returned to work for Katherine Pack in the Circuit Court Clerk’s office as a Deputy Clerk in September, 2017.”
“Public service has been at the center of my employment most of my adult life. I have always enjoyed working with and for the citizens of DeKalb County. I am seeking this position because I want to continue the integrity and efficiency this office has worked so hard for during Mrs. Katherine’s reign as clerk. The years of experience that I have under her leadership will allow me to keep this office moving forward providing the best services available for the people of DeKalb County.”